Retail display company sharing their thoughts, advice, photos, and promotions.

Month: July 2014

Are old-fashioned trade shows still worth the investment for small businesses in this digital marketing and social media-focused world of today? The answer is yes, and current statistics from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research show that attendance at trade shows has risen by 2% in 2013. Once thought of as a possible dying breed of marketing, a small business owner should not dismiss the positive outcomes from attending an expo, convention, or trade show.

The positives outcomes heavily outweigh the negative, with business owners being able to make personal contacts, introduce fresh, exciting products and services to new clients, and scope out future trends in their niche. President of Sharn Enterprises, Roger Wandersee, saw the return on his investment when he attended the “Luggage, Leather Goods, and Accessory Show” this past April. He was able to forge long-lasting business relationships and gain new ventures in the market of Canada. Designers Scott Sterchele and Stephanie Shostok attended the “Chicago Collective Fashion Trade Show” downtown on July 28th and were able to meet potential clients as well as reconnect with current customers.

Spotted! Our custom Bird Dog Bay display at Chicago Collective 2014.

Looking into the future, Sharn is going to be attending another trade show in Minneapolis called the “Shopper Marketing Conference and Expo.” This show will include seminars, symposiums, networking sessions, creative merchandising solutions, a variety of vendors, and more. The conference is taking place on October 21st-23rd and Sharn is already are registered as an exhibitor for booth #331. If you are interested in attending this trade show, make sure you check out their website by clicking on the icon here.

After you sign up, make sure you come by Sharn’s booth to see new products and pick up some freebies. The truth is, trade shows are making a comeback and we here at Sharn Enterprises realize that face-to-face interaction and genuine connections are priceless.

For more information about Sharn Enterprises, Inc make sure to check out www.sharndisplays.com or call 815-464-9715.

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Chick-Fil-A, BP Oil, and Paula Deen; what do these three companies and brands have in common? They were all involved in a public relations nightmare that caused controversies on a national level. In the world of a public relations professional, any one of their stories can be looked at as a worst case scenario when trying to maintain a positive image for the brand he or she is responsible for representing. But why did these three entities sink their own ship? Because they were not prepared for such a disaster and did not think it would ever happen to them.

In order to make sure your company, either large or small, avoids any negativity in the press or community, make sure all members of your team follow some simple steps:

Communicate Effectively– From the bottom of the food chain all the way to the top, make sure all members of the team are aware of the company’s policies and views. Your public relations crew needs to inform all new and existing employees the protocol of working for your establishment. Employees have to remember that whatever they say or do reflects upon the company they are currently working for.

Stay Objective– No matter what your personal opinions are regarding a specific subject, it is important to realize that it may not be the opinion of someone else. Showcasing a personal opinion, especially when you are the head of a company, could result in the whole brand taking on that opinion. In the case of Chick-fil-A, their CEO Dan Cathy let his views about gay marriage be known, which resulted in backlash. Although just one person’s view, some state leaders protested a Chick-Fil-A being built in their city and many pro-LGBT groups would not set foot in the restaurant under any circumstances, which resulted in lost sales.

Listen to your Customers and Be Personable – Your customers are your best brand ambassadors and often spread the word of your services by word of mouth. Make sure to listen to the feedback of customers wholeheartedly. In addition, it is important to make the extra effort to build a personal relationship with customers. Visiting in person or writing a hand-written note will really show your clients you care, which makes them more likely to be in your corner when a PR disaster strikes.

React Quickly- There’s nothing worse than ignoring the problem rather than facing it head on. In an event of a situation getting out of hand, it is better to acknowledge the fact that a major mistake has been made rather than to sweep it under the rug. The quicker the problem is faced, the quicker it will be resolved.

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What is #Apollo45 and why is it “orbiting” around social media sites? Well, #Apollo45 is a hashtag that was started by the second man to walk the moon, Buzz Aldrin, in honor of the moon landing’s 45th anniversary. What makes the hashtag even more interesting is that most millennials on Twitter, like myself, were not born yet for this historic event on July 20th, 1969, and have only read about it in the history books. It sparks my personal curiosities about the first human lunar landing; the emotions felt by all Americans that day, the aftermath of suspicious and faux hoax theories, and even watching the event televised live on black and white TV. No matter which way you learned about the first man on the moon, this historic event holds a special place in American’s minds and the innate dreamer in all of us.

Buzz Aldrin set up this campaign personally and stated, “I feel we need to remind the world about the Apollo mission and that we can still do impossible things.”

It all started after mission planners at NASA studied the lunar surface for two years and then choose which location on the moon to make the historic landing. Using high-resolution photographs taken by the lunar Orbitor satellite, they chose a flat surface to ultimately land.

Apollo 11 launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:32 am on July 16th, 1969. While in flight on the space ship, the crew made two televised broadcasts. At 4:17PM on July 20th, the lunar module touched down at their location of choice, “The Sea of Tranquility.” Neil Armstrong said the words, “Houston, this is Tranquility Base. The Eagle has landed” as well has his, “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.”

For the first two hours, Armstrong and Aldrin checked all of the systems and configured the lunar module for stay on the moon, and then decided to take a load off to eat. They then explored the surface for four hours, setting up experiments, collecting soil, and putting up the famous United States flag. After spending a total of 21 and half hours on the moon, they decided to head back home, leaving their mark on history.

Some celebrities are also supporting Aldrin’s #Apollo45 mission, such as Jared Leto, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and Pharrell. All in all, make sure you write on Facebook and tweet on Twitter your personal flashback of the first landing on the moon, so you too can re-live your “eclipse” of a memory. Here are some of our memories from employees at Sharn Enterprises, Inc, from one generation to the other:

Stephanie, Marketing & Social Media at Sharn Enterprises, Inc:

“I remember reading about the moon landing in my 7th grade history class. I am upset that I was not alive for the actual landing, but I am excited because the future holds many other historic events like #Apollo45.”

Roger Wandersee, President of Sharn Enterprises, Inc:

“I will never forget that day. I was a young, married man who had just completed his service in the Army and was now back home with my family. On that very day, I had been outside doing chores in the early afternoon, but when the time for the landing got close, my wife and I came back inside and watched it all live on our black and white television. First of all, the thought of us landing on the moon was inconceivable and secondly, the thought of us watching it live on TV from the moon was nothing short of an engineering miracle! The excitement was not over as we waited for the astronauts to get out and walk on the moon. When that finally happened and Armstrong uttered those now famous words, I remember feeling so excited for our future and really believed that we as Americans could accomplish anything we set our minds to. Forty-five years later, I still believe that is true.”

As a proud American manufacturer, we are happy to honor this historic event.

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Here at Sharn Enterprises, Inc, we pride ourselves on designing and manufacturing custom point-of-purchase displays for a variety of vendors, clients, and businesses. One area where we specialize in is the production of custom displays for men’s accessories. From wallets and belts to cufflinks and watches, our clients love the fact that we can display their unique products in a way a customer’s attention is grabbed immediately!

To honor the fact that we display and advertise men’s products, we have complied a list of the top men’s accessories and clothing that are currently “on-trend” for the year 2014:

All pictures are linked to the source so you can buy the product if you really like it!

Casual Watches- A watch that is not only simple, but can be worn daily. Even though you may just use your phone to tell the time, a stylish watch can create an illusion that you still utilize its actual purpose.

A Weekend Hat– Pick a hat, any hat! This can be any variety of hat. Many guys are wearing beanies, fedoras, snapbacks, as well as outback-jack sort of hats. Absolutely anything goes! Click here to check out a hat we love from Forever 21!

Wild Dress Socks– This is for the professional guy that goes to work in a suit, but once he sits down, you can sneak-a-peek of a wild, printed sock. This shows that you are professional in the workplace, but have a good sense of humor outside of it.

Skinny Casual Tie– Most guys that do have to get dressed up for a semi-casual event should try out the skinny tie trend! This is an easy trend to try because skinny ties are in many stores and online!

“Bro” Tanks– Since it is the summer, the ‘bro tank’ is the go-to outfit with a pair of casual shorts. More for a day at the beach or out to lunch, this should not be worn to any formal event!

Thick-Rimmed Sunglasses– Any sort of Ray Bans and thicker-rimmed sunglasses are all the rage because of their sturdiness and durability. Make sure to have a few pairs of sunglasses that range in cost. Keep a few pairs for an activity-packed day and keep others to pair with your more upscale attire!

Unique Cufflinks– These are a subtle way to show off your interests and hobbies. Cheap and low-key, this style trend is definitely in. The “Legen-Dary” pair of links is for the “How I Met Your Mother” fans out there.

Woven Belt– Not only does a belt keep you from sagging in all the wrong places, a woven belt is currently a style “do” according to Esquire magazine. Of course, Esquire is always right! Our favorite is the “Lobstah Chowdah.”

Shaved-Sides Hair Cut- More of a look than an accessory, the slightly shaved side of the head and the longer top is what many guys are sporting during the summer months.

Textured Phone Cases- Phones need to be protected so why not protect them in style? This half wood-half fabric hybrid would be an awesome addition to your smart phone bestie.

Printed or Bright Colored Shorts- For the “Frat Guy” in all of us, bright colored shorts are the go-to summer BBQ attire.

Wild Short Sleeve Button Ups– For the more hipster guy, this one is tougher to pull off. For a concert or a night out on the town, a patterned short sleeve button-up shows that this guy is one laid back and mellow. Beware, this trend is not meant for all!

All of these amazing men’s accessories need an eye-catching way to be shown off… that’s where Sharn Enterprises, Inc comes in. If you are a vendor of any of these products, an entrepreneur trying to start your business, or even an small business, make sure you check out Sharn Displays; we can help you with all of our custom display needs!

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An individual sees over 1 million advertisements throughout his or her lifetime. 1 MILLION!

With television commercials, radio commercials, print ads, and billboards being “thrown” at a consumer every moment throughout the day, it is important to set your company apart from the rest.

Let’s take a look at the company Apple. Unless you are at the dentist, apples take on quite a different context in our pop culture-focused world. If someone speaks of the word “apple”, it usually is referring to Steve Job’s billion-dollar company featuring various iPads, iPhones, iPods, iMacs and more. But why does everyone in the USA think of the Apple product and not the healthy fruit you should eat every day to keep the dentist away?

The reason is that Apple has developed an emotional connection to its customers. Apple consumers feel safe and in good hands when they purchase a product developed by that company and they expect their lives to be enhanced by the device. Apple has a long history of building their brand, and one can learn a variety of strategies by just observing their habits of marketing. When it comes to a smaller company, although, one of the most important aspects of building a client base is establishing relationships and making sure your company is keeping your presence known.

This is why branding is especially important. Branding becomes a feeling about a company and develops into a sense of comfort, which is very important for small business owners. If you develop this correctly, your company can also be successful (like Apple). In my opinion, branding is the most important things to develop and keep consistent. Without building a brand, competitors win.

Here are the top 6 reasons why building your brand is critical:

1. It gives your company a true identity– Having a logo that grabs the attention of a consumer shows them that you have values set in place and intend to stick to them. It also includes having a team of people who truly believe in the company and will do anything to help it succeed.

2. It helps find, create, and develop clients/customers- Having that identity allows for the spread of the company’s positive qualities by word of mouth. It keeps the customers happy because they recognize that the brand is high quality because other people stand by it, leading to more sales.

3. It helps to keep the company consistent on social media platforms– Having a trademark logo, slogan, and overall emotion associated to your brand allows you to stay consistent on social media platforms. If your business has a sense of humor and posts humorous articles and pictures, this sense of humor needs to reflect all notions of the company. If your company is more serious, the social media sites need to reflect that. Staying consistent shows a true brand.

4. It enhances the little things– When you do little things for your customers, such as a friendly phone call or thank you note, those things are noticed, which leads to a better brand relevance. Customer service is important; your clients and customers need to be considered your brand ambassadors!

5. Re-Branding refreshes your image- If you are in the market for a new, fresh image, make sure to go at it full force. Re-brand your logo, company slogan, website, social media, marketing materials and even your values if they are starting to fail. A new look grabs and maintains your target audience’s attention.

6. It shows differentiation– Consumers want to feel as though they are getting the biggest bang for their buck. They want to know company they are purchasing their goods and services from are at the top in their field. Differentiation also displays that your company stands out in a specific market.

All in all, by branding your company, it allows you to soar to new heights. Keep in mind; relevance, presence, and consistency are key! From large corporations to small mom-and-pop businesses, branding can help one’s marketing strategy and launch a company’s name to brand new places! (No pun intended.)

For more information on our products and services, make sure to check out our website! Check out our latest video here!

Also, we are working with the small business website, Manta. Click here for more details!